What could cause pain in my back shoulder blade?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain in the back shoulder blade is often caused by nerve irritation in the neck or underlying problems with the cervical spine. Common contributors include pinched nerves, cervical disc issues, poor posture, muscle strain, or referred pain from nearby structures. Because shoulder blade pain can stem from many different sources—some minor, others requiring medical attention—identifying the root cause is essential for effective treatment.

If you're experiencing this type of pain, don't guess your way through it. Understanding what's driving your symptoms is the first step toward getting real relief. Take a free, instant, AI-powered symptom check to explore possible causes, learn which conditions match your experience, and get clear guidance on the right next steps—all in just a few minutes, from the comfort of home.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of shoulder blade pain Learn if shoulder blade pain needs care See if back pain is something serious Find OTC relief for shoulder blade pain Find a doctor for shoulder blade pain Understand home remedies for shoulder blade pain Discover what’s causing your shoulder blade pain

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Explanation

Pain in the back shoulder blade can happen for several reasons, often linked to the nerves in your neck or issues with the cervical spine.

Nerve Involvement: Sometimes, pain in the shoulder blade is related to the nerves that come from your neck. These nerves can get pinched or irritated, causing pain that travels to your shoulder blade area.
Cervical Spine Problems: The cervical spine, which is the part of your spine in your neck, can also cause shoulder blade pain. Problems like disc issues or arthritis in the cervical spine may lead to pain that you feel in your back shoulder blade.

It's important to remember that these are just a few possible reasons for shoulder blade pain, and there can be other causes too. If you're experiencing this kind of pain, you can use our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine whether you should talk to a healthcare professional to understand what's happening.

(References)

Mizutamari M, Sei A, Tokiyoshi A, Fujimoto T, Taniwaki T, Togami W, & Mizuta H. (2010). Corresponding scapular pain with the nerve root involved .... Journal of orthopaedic surgery (Hong Kong), 21187551.
Mimori K, Muneta T, Komori H, Okawa A, & Shinomiya K. (1999). Relation between the painful shoulder and the cervical .... Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 10472000.
Pateder DB, Berg JH, & Thal R. (2009). Neck and shoulder pain: differentiating cervical spine .... Journal of surgical orthopaedic advances, 19995495.

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